Conversely I was informed by a Sayoc trainer from the US when flying to carry sharpened pencils as they get through customs just fine, maybe I should pass that on to Tim Larkin if they ever decide to let him come

Last edited by your next; 5/10/2012 1:35am at .
Reason: Edit to remove links to epetition as it had closed with only 8000 signatures, needs over 100,000 to get discussed so I guess

Question on British law: what, if any, sanctions are put on subjects of Great Britain if they voice similar ideas or train similar arts?

Not a lot - the fact is that we live here so can't be banned from entering or get in trouble for taking part in this kind of training provided you are UK or probably EU nationals. Apart from that you can pretty much do what you like provided it doesn't involve illegal firearms.

Larkin was perhaps a bit unlucky that he wanted to come to the UK from a non-EU country so it was much easier for him to get banned. EU citizens have a right to go anywhere in the EU without sanction which can (in my humble opinion end up with some insane situations)

Not a lot - the fact is that we live here so can't be banned from entering or get in trouble for taking part in this kind of training provided you are UK or probably EU nationals. Apart from that you can pretty much do what you like provided it doesn't involve illegal firearms.

Larkin was perhaps a bit unlucky that he wanted to come to the UK from a non-EU country so it was much easier for him to get banned. EU citizens have a right to go anywhere in the EU without sanction which can (in my humble opinion end up with some insane situations)

You forgot banned knives, banned swords, and probably sticks and stones. You know it's funny I practice HEMA a style invented by the Brits, and yet they can't own a sword to practice it lol.

AFAIK you're ok with Western swords, its the katana you can't have over here. That said, they won't sell a set of steak knives without IDing you in the supermarket.

My concession to self-defense over here is to wear steel tipped boots if I'm walking late at night, at least they're still vaguely legal.

You are OK with practising with swords/sticks etc but if you take them out on the street then it is another matter. There is also a huge ambiguity with what if you are taking your katana to your dojo to practice....